Can financial goals be achieved?

Maybe your goals are way too big, unrealistic or simply too stretched. With such big dreams to fulfil is it just too hard to reach them?

This is what a Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy, an expert on human behaviour and author of “Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges” explains. It is easier to aim to make it around the block than shoot for the stars, initially anyway.

A mistake most people make, Cuddy explains, is that, they ‘focus only on the outcome and not on the process.’

Focus on the process rather than the outcome

This means it’s great to have a goal, and want to strive for the moon but you need to know the ‘how’ – what are the actions or steps required to reach your goals?

If you’re going from point A to point B, you basically need a road map to navigate your path to your end destination. Without such a map, you might lose your way, go the wrong long way or simply give up on starting your journey.

As Cuddy reveals, people get disappointed or feel deflated because of ‘unrealistic or poorly planned goals.’ She finds that people’s goals are ‘too big’ and ‘too distant’.

‘They require a million little steps in between, and each of those little steps is an opportunity to fail’.

Chunk down big goals into smaller ones

The smart approach to achieving goals whether they are financial or life goals, is to chunk down the big goals into bite sized easy to digest weekly or daily goals which are easier to achieve. By kicking through the smaller and frequent goals, you feel a sense of accomplishment which energises you to keep going to the end.

Similar to wanting to become a marathon runner from not being able to run, it’s easier and better to start a training regime on a daily basis leading up to your marathon day rather than attempt to run 42kms straight away. You’re setting yourself up for failure if you don’t plan or train for this major fitness goal.

Work with a professional ‘coach’

This is no difference when you plan for financial goals and retirement lifestyle goals. You need a road map to help you get there. Without a process or the know-how, you might not get there at all or lose out on opportunities. You might also seek advice from a professional adviser to help draft up a personalised financial plan similar to getting a personal fitness trainer who maps out a fitness regime to help you run your first marathon.

Having a goal and wanting to achieve them is fantastic but ensure you find the right and smart way of achieving them.

Get a plan, seek guidance from your adviser and tick off the check points on your ‘financial road-map’ until you arrive at your desired destination.

For more help on reaching your financial goals, talk to a Dome Financial Adviser!

The information contained on this page is for discussion purposes only and is not intended to constitute financial product advice. It does not take into consideration any persons objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider its appropriateness in light of your circumstances and consider seeking professional advice relevant to your individual before making a decision based on any information on this page.